How to Choose Genogram Software: 7 Criteria for Therapists and Social Workers
There is plenty of genogram software, but a genogram you keep as a clinical record needs things that family tree and general diagram tools do not have. Check the seven points below by drawing one case yourself. This page does not rank products; for each point it only notes what Auruda Genogram does.
1. Does it use standard genogram symbols?
To use a genogram as a clinical record, first check that the software draws the McGoldrick–Gerson standard symbols as they are: a square for a male, a circle for a female, a double outline for the client, an X for a death, marriage and divorce lines, and emotional relationship lines. General diagram tools only give you shapes, so you have to build the emotional lines and the client marker yourself.
Auruda Genogram uses the standard symbols and publishes its symbols chart (27 symbols).
2. Does it lay out the family automatically?
Once a family has more than about ten people, lines start to cross, and lining everything up by hand takes longer than drawing it. Check that each generation sits on the same level, couples sit side by side, and children are placed under their parents from oldest to youngest.
Auruda Genogram lays the genogram out automatically as soon as you add a person or a relationship.
3. Where is client information stored?
A genogram holds names, health history and family history. Check in the privacy policy where it is stored (on your device or on a server), whether it is encrypted and how to delete it. Whether you must create an account to use the software matters too.
If you do not sign in, Auruda Genogram saves your work only on your device, encrypted; when it lays the genogram out automatically, the content passes through its server for the calculation but is not stored. If you sign in, it keeps your genograms on its servers, encrypted with AES-256-GCM, so you can continue on another device. Details are in the Privacy Policy.
4. Can you hide names when presenting or sharing?
In case presentations and supervision, the client must not be identifiable. A single control that hides all names and notes saves you from redrawing the genogram.
Auruda Genogram has a "Hide names" button that hides names and notes together.
5. What formats can you export to?
To put a genogram into a report, a paper or slides, you need to export it as an image, and a legend of the symbols used saves readers from asking what each line means.
Auruda Genogram exports PNG images and can add a legend beside the genogram listing only the emotional lines and health statuses the genogram actually uses (you can turn it off).
6. How much can you do for free?
Free plans often limit the number of people, saved genograms or exports. Check whether you have to install anything or sign up, and whether the free plan covers one case, by drawing one yourself.
Auruda Genogram is free, runs in your browser with no installation, and you can start without signing up.
7. Is there practice material for learning the notation?
For a counseling or social work student, drawing from a case is faster than memorizing symbols. Check whether the software offers examples and a way to compare your drawing with an answer.
Auruda Genogram offers 11 completed examples and 11 practice cases that you draw yourself and then score against the answer.
What should I read next?
Draw a genogram for free →How to draw a genogram →Genogram symbols chart →
Written by the Auruda editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-10-27 · This page does not replace clinical judgment.